Dear PoPville – Relaxed, chill bars/restaurants that will do a reservation for a party?

I am planning a birthday party for my partner, and am looking for a fun venue where we can reserve a private area. I’ve done some research online, of course, but it seems like most of the places I am finding online are more traditional restaurants with private rooms, which isn’t quite the vibe we are going for. I was thinking more along the lines of the Garden District, or Dacha Beer Garden, but I realize those places are purely first-come, first-serve. Does anyone know of any relaxed, chill bars/restaurants that will do a reservation for a party? Outdoor space is a plus, but not necessary.”

DC Science Club will let you have a floor to yourself. There’s usually no charge for it, so long as you agree to spend a certain amount while you’re there. I think it was $500 when my friend had her birthday there recently.

Here’s the issue – are you going to spend money? Nice places are not going to book rooms or sets of tables for you if your friends are stopping in for only one drink. They usually want a guaranteed minimum spend, especially on a weekend evening.
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One place I’ve had success for booking tables for work happy hours and events is Dirty Martini on Connecticut Ave. They have long bar top tables running down the length of the main floor area and a HUGE curved banquet area near the bathrooms where lots of you could hang and order drinks/apps from the waiters. Not sure if that’s your vibe, tho.

If you’re looking for something like Dacha or Garden District, then rest assured Dirty Martini is not your style. It doesn’t appear to be anyone’s style, actually, as evidenced by the crowds that absolutely aren’t there.
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It’s small, but I’ve heard from friends that Bardia’s New Orleans Cafe will let out their space.

My fiancee booked the upstairs room at the Saloon on U Street for my birthday (http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-saloon-washington). The room only opens for private events, but we had our own bartender and could bring our own music to hook up to their speaker system. I’m not sure how much she paid, but some of the room cost is tax deductible as it goes to the owner’s charitable causes (and I believe there’s a discount if you live in the neighborhood as we do). Highly recommended.

I reserved the upstairs of 6th Engine (400 block of Mass Ave) for my 30th (fit around 60-65 people comfortably). The price will change depending on the length of time you want to reserve, but overall it’s more on the pricier end. That having been said, the staff is top notch and fun, and they set it up so you have your own bar upstairs and can also arrange for food service as well.

Another option is Irish Whiskey in Dupont. You can rent either the top floor (recommended) or the basement area.

1905 on 9th street. it’s a small, intimate space , not private but would only be shared with a few other tables depending on the size of your group. they have a nice roof deck as well but not sure that can be reserved.

bourbon in admo rents out its loft level for $125-$150. the space fits about 30-35 and they give you your own bartender upstairs and a bouncer at the bottom of the steps to make sure random people don’t wander up. spots in admo can be hit or miss but the dj was great that night and it was nice to overlook the dance floor without being squished by the crowd.

I think someone already mentioned Black Squirrel, but I’ll go ahead and do it again. Booked Black Squirrel’s third floor for my birthday party. We got our own bartender and were able to hook up our music and decorate. They don’t charge if you bring a largish group. The room is really quite nice with a full bar and craft beer.

Smith Commons (H Street NE) rents its third floor – which includes a small outdoor space – to private parties. The terms vary by reservation date/time and party size, but after some negotiation I managed to secure the space for three hours on a weekend evening for free. Best party I’ve ever had.

The upstairs room of Shaw’s Tavern is awesome. I reserved it for a very reasonable fee on my 30th birthday last summer, and in exchange my friends and I had plenty of space, our own bar, and a very accommodating staff.